Vegetative Growth, Flowering and Fruiting Characteristics in Kiwifruit Cultivars as Influenced by Deficit Irrigation

The study was conducted on five cultivars of kiwifruit viz. , Allison, Hayward, Abbott, Monty and Bruno to investigate their tolerance under water deficit conditions. Various growth and flowering characteristics were observed under two irrigation treatments, namely standard irrigation (irrigation at 80 % FC) and deficit irrigation (irrigation at 60 % FC). The cultivar Hayward had highest shoot growth, length of internodes, and leaf area under well irrigated condition. However, when the vines were subjected to DI regime, the reduction in shoot growth, length of internodes and leaf area and increase in leaf yellowing was recorded highest in cultivar Hayward and the least in cultivar Bruno. The DI increased the average leaf thickness in all the cultivars, which was however, noted higher in cultivar Bruno compared to all other cultivars and the least in cultivar Hayward. Furthermore, the DI caused significantly higher reduction in bloom intensity, fruit set, fruit retention and fruit yield in cultivar Hayward and the least in cultivar Bruno. The results of this study suggest cultivar Bruno had better tolerance of to water deficit condition, followed by cultivar Allison while the cultivar Hayward was the most sensitive to water stress.